Multi‐modal data of the complex human anatomy contain a wealth of information. To visualize and explore such data, techniques for emphasizing important structures and controlling visibility are ...essential. Such fused overview visualizations guide physicians to suspicious regions to be analysed in detail, e.g. with slice‐based viewing. We give an overview of state of the art in multi‐modal medical data visualization techniques. Multi‐modal medical data consist of multiple scans of the same subject using various acquisition methods, often combining multiple complimentary types of information. Three‐dimensional visualization techniques for multi‐modal medical data can be used in diagnosis, treatment planning, doctor–patient communication as well as interdisciplinary communication. Over the years, multiple techniques have been developed in order to cope with the various associated challenges and present the relevant information from multiple sources in an insightful way. We present an overview of these techniques and analyse the specific challenges that arise in multi‐modal data visualization and how recent works aimed to solve these, often using smart visibility techniques. We provide a taxonomy of these multi‐modal visualization applications based on the modalities used and the visualization techniques employed. Additionally, we identify unsolved problems as potential future research directions.
Multi‐modal data of the complex human anatomy contain a wealth of information. To visualize and explore such data, techniques for emphasizing important structures and controlling visibility are essential. Such fused overview visualizations guide physicians to suspicious regions to be analysed in detail, e.g. with slice‐based viewing. We give an overview of state of the art in multi‐modal medical data visualization techniques. Multi‐modal medical data consist of multiple scans of the same subject using various acquisition methods, often combining multiple complimentary types of information. Three‐dimensional visualization techniques for multi‐modal medical data can be used in diagnosis, treatment planning, doctor–patient communication as well as interdisciplinary communication.
Periparturient hypocalcaemia is a widespread metabolic disorder in dairy cows. Clinical and subclinical cases occur primarily in multiparous (Multi) cows, but subclinical cases have also been ...reported in primiparous (Primi) cows. A preventive strategy was investigated by administering the physiologically active vitamin D3 metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25(OH)2D3) as a rumen bolus. The bolus contained tablets of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycoside extract from Solanum glaucophyllum (SGE), releasing SGE over several days. The aim was to study the effect of a bolus containing 0 (C) or 500 µg (SGE) of 1,25(OH)2D3 on 1,25(OH)2D3 and mineral status in periparturient cows up to three weeks into lactation and on colostrum, milk and calves’ blood mineral contents. The bolus was administered three to four days prior to expected calving to Primi and Multi cows fed a herbage-based diet (dietary cation-anion difference of +522 mEq/kg DM). One C or SGE bolus was applied to 12 Primi and 12 Multi cows. Blood was regularly sampled (and selected a posteriori for antepartum samples) in regard to the actual calving day (d0), immediately prior to bolus application and at day −2, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18 and 22. Additional samples included urine (at bolus application, d0.5 and d2), colostrum, milk samples (weekly) and calves’ blood (d2). Blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3 increased between d0.5 and d2 in Primi-SGE, but remained unchanged in Primi-C, as did parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Ca in all Primi. Urinary Ca of Primi-SGE was increased on d2, indicating regulation of Ca excess. Three Multi-C cows with confirmed clinical hypocalcaemia needed treatment and thus were excluded from the dataset and replaced. Blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH increased while Ca dropped by 40% between d0.5 and d2 in Multi-C, whereas 1,25(OH)2D3, Ca and PTH remained unchanged in Multi-SGE. Blood serum carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen was higher in Primi than in Multi and increased with time, except in Primi-C. Mineral contents in colostrum, milk and blood serum of calves were not influenced to a relevant degree. In conclusion, Primi-C did not, in contrast to Multi-C, develop subclinical hypocalcaemia (<2.0 mmol Ca/l). Prevention of hypocalcaemia with one SGE bolus applied three to four days prior to expected calving was successful in maintaining blood Ca within normal range in Multi over the critical first two days and up to the first three weeks of lactation, without any observed detrimental effects on cows or calves.
Alcohol is part of the usual diet of millions of individuals worldwide. However, not all individuals who drink alcohol experience the same effects, nor will everyone develop an alcohol use disorder. ...Here we propose that the intestinal microbiota (IMB) helps explain the different consumption patterns of alcohol among individuals. 507 humans participated in this study and alcohol consumption and IMB composition were analyzed. On the other hand, in 80 adult male Wistar rats, behavioral tests, alcohol intoxication, fecal transplantation, administration of antibiotics and collection of fecal samples were performed. For identification and relative quantification of bacterial taxa was used the bacterial 16 S ribosomal RNA gene. In humans, we found that heavy episodic drinking is associated with a specific stool type phenotype (type 1, according to Bristol Stool Scale; p < 0.05) and with an increase in the abundance of Actinobacteria (p < 0.05). Next, using rats, we demonstrate that the transfer of IMB from alcohol-intoxicated animals causes an increase in voluntary alcohol consumption in transplant-recipient animals (p < 0.001). The relative quantification data indicate that the genus Porphyromonas could be associated with the effect on voluntary alcohol consumption. We also show that gut microbiota depletion by antibiotics administration causes a reduction in alcohol consumption (p < 0.001) and altered the relative abundance of relevant phyla such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes or Cyanobacteria (p < 0.05), among others. Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction was performed for multiple comparisons. These studies reveal some of the consequences of alcohol on the IMB and provide evidence that manipulation of IMB may alter voluntary alcohol consumption.
Rationale
Only in Europe it can be estimated that more than 20 million of people would be affected by hypothyroidism in some moment of their life. Given that ethanol consumption is so frequent, it ...would be reasonable to ask what the consequences of ethanol consumption in those individuals affected by hypothyroidism are.
Objectives
To study the interaction between hypothyroidism and ethanol consumption.
Methods
We study ethanol consumption in a rat model of methyl-mercaptoimidazole-induced-adult-onset hypothyroidism and thyroid T4/T3 hormone supplementation. Also, we studied the effects of ethanol on motor activity, memory, and anxiety.
Results
We found that hypothyroidism increased the voluntary ethanol consumption and that this was enhanced by thyroid hormone supplementation. Hypothyroidism was associated with motor hyperactivity which was prevented either by T4/T3 supplementation or ethanol. The relationship between hypothyroidism, ethanol, and anxiety was more complex. In an anxiogenic context, hypothyroidism and T4/T3 supplementation would increase immobility, an anxiety-like behavior, while in a less anxiogenic context would decrease rearing, a behavior related to anxiety. Regarding memory, acute ethanol administration did not alter episodic-like memory in hypothyroid rats. Gene expression of enzymes involved in the metabolism of ethanol, i.e.,
Adh1
and
Aldh2
, were altered by hypothyroidism and T4/T3 supplementation.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that hypothyroid patients would need personalized attention in terms of ethanol consumption. In addition, they point that it would be useful to embrace the thyroid axis in the study of ethanol addiction, including as a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of alcoholism and its comorbid disorders.
Providing tablets of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), the biologically active metabolite of vitamin D3, in a rumen bolus may be used as prevention for periparturient hypocalcemia in dairy ...cows. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycosides extracted from Solanum glaucophyllum (SGE) on blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3, Ca, P and Mg response in dry pregnant dairy cows. Boluses contained tablets of SGE which differed in their release properties (rapid release, slow release and combination) and galenics (200 μg uncoated, 300 μg and 500 μg uncoated or coated, 2 × 500 μg uncoated). Nineteen blood samples were collected from 29 cows between 96 h before and 336 h after bolus administration. Blood serum 1,25(OH)2D3, Ca and P increased between 12 h and 120 h, 12 h and 264 h and 24 h and 264 h, respectively. Highest values were reached at 30 h, 72 h and 120 h for 1,25(OH)2D3, Ca and P, respectively. Baseline values were then reached at 216 h for 1,25(OH)2D3 and 336 h for Ca and P. Concentration of Mg decreased between 24 h and 216 h, before reaching values comparable to baseline at 264 h. Highest Ca values were obtained with the combined rapid and slow release properties (500 μg) and there was no effect from coating on pharmacokinetics. In conclusion, the antepartum oral SGE bolus administration may be suitable for the prevention of periparturient hypocalcemia.
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•Solanum glaucophyllum extract delivered reliable amounts of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycosides.•Application of one oral bolus increased serum calcium over several days.•No adverse effects were observed even after simultaneous application of two boluses.•Antepartum oral bolus administration may be suitable for periparturient hypocalcemia prevention.
Considerable costs are associated with infertility treatment, but little evidence is available on the main drivers of treatment costs. This cost analysis investigated key costs for treatment with ...assisted reproductive technology (ART) and the proportion of costs attributed to the acquisition of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) alfa originator for one fresh embryo transfer (ET) leading to a live birth in Spain, Norway, the UK, Germany, Denmark, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The total costs for one ART cycle with a fresh ET leading to a live birth varied between countries (€4108–€12,314). Costs for pregnancy and live birth were the major contributors in European countries, and the costs of oocyte retrieval, monitoring during ovarian stimulation, pregnancy, and live birth were the top contributors in the Asia-Pacific countries, included in this analysis. Acquisition costs for r-hFSH alfa originator contributed to only 5%–17% of the total costs of one ART cycle with one fresh ET leading to a live birth.
•First study to report r-hFSH alfa acquisition cost as a proportion of the total cost of one ART cycle leading to a live birth.•Pregnancy and live birth costs were the main contributors to total ART cost in European countries included in this analysis.•Monitoring during stimulation in Australia, and oocyte retrieval in New Zealand were the main contributors to the total cost.•Costs for oocyte retrieval and pregnancy were the main contributors to the total cost of ART in South Korea.•Drug acquisition costs contributed to 5%–17% of the total costs of one ART cycle leading to a live birth.
Attrition or dropout is the most severe missingness problem in longitudinal cohort study data where some participants do not show up for follow‐up examinations. Dropouts result in biased data and ...cause the reduction of 1ata set size. Moreover, they limit the power of statistical analysis and the validity of study findings. Visualization can play a strong role in analysing and displaying the missingness patterns. In this work, we present VIVID, a framework for the visual analysis of missing values in cohort study data. VIVID is inspired by discussions with epidemiologists and adds visual components to their current statistics‐based approaches. VIVID provides functions for exploration, imputation and validity check of imputations. The main focus of this paper is multiple imputation to fix the missing data.
Attrition or dropout is the most severe missingness problem in longitudinal cohort study data where some participants do not show up for follow‐up examinations. Dropouts result in biased data and cause the reduction of 1ata set size. Moreover, they limit the power of statistical analysis and the validity of study findings. Visualization can play a strong role in analysing and displaying the missingness patterns. In this work, we present VIVID, a framework for the visual analysis of missing values in cohort study data. VIVID is inspired by discussions with epidemiologists and adds visual components to their current statistics‐based approaches. VIVID provides functions for exploration, imputation and validity check of imputations. The main focus of this paper is multiple imputation to fix the missing data.
Due to its potential beneficial effects, intra- and postoperative application of intravenous lidocaine has become increasingly accepted over the last couple of years, e.g. in patients undergoing ...laparoscopic surgical procedures. Based on its beneficial properties, lidocaine was introduced to the standard of care for all pediatric laparoscopic procedures in our institution in mid-2016. In contrast to adult care, scarce data is available regarding the use of perioperative intravenous lidocaine administration in children undergoing laparoscopic procedures, such as an appendectomy.
Retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy at the University Children's Hospital Zurich in 2016. Perioperative data, as recorded in the electronic patient data management system, were evaluated for any signs of systemic lidocaine toxicity (neurological and cardiovascular), behavioral deterioration, as well as for hemodynamic instability. Additionally, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, administration of pain rescue medication, time to hospital discharge and to first bowel movement, as well as any postoperative complications were recorded. Starting on 01/07/2016, all patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery received intravenous lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg body weight (BW) bolus after induction of anesthesia followed by continuous infusion of 1.5 mg/kgBW/h). These patients were then compared to children without lidocaine administration who had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy between 01/01/2016 and 30/06/2016.
Data of 116 patients was analyzed. Of these, 60 patients received lidocaine. No signs of systemic toxicity, neurologic impairment or circulatory disturbances were noted in any of these patients. A (non-significant) difference in the incidence of emergence delirium was observed (0 cases in the lidocaine group vs. 4 cases in the control group, p = 0.05).
This retrospective analysis did not reveal any adverse effects in pediatric patients receiving intravenous lidocaine for laparoscopic appendectomy under general anesthesia. However, further trials investigating beneficial effects as well as pharmacokinetic properties of intravenous lidocaine in children are required.
Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the major curative approaches for cancer. It is a complex and risky treatment approach, which requires precise planning, prior to the administration of the treatment. ...Visual Computing (VC) is a fundamental component of RT planning, providing solutions in all parts of the process—from imaging to delivery. Despite the significant technological advancements of RT over the last decades, there are still many challenges to address. This survey provides an overview of the compound planning process of RT, and of the ways that VC has supported RT in all its facets. The RT planning process is described to enable a basic understanding in the involved data, users and workflow steps. A systematic categorization and an extensive analysis of existing literature in the joint VC/RT research is presented, covering the entire planning process. The survey concludes with a discussion on lessons learnt, current status, open challenges, and future directions in VC/RT research.
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